SA Rover Competitive Hike 2003

On Saturday the 30th of August, 37 Venturers and Rovers converged on Chalks campground in Mt. Crawford to compete in the first Rover Competitive Hike for nine years

GRovers Rover Crew ran the event, which was greatly modified from the original format to encourage people to join in. In the hour between 9am and 10am, teams attempted to prepare for their walk while the rain (and occassionaly hail) fell from the skies. Fortunately the weather cleared somewhat for the start of the event at 10am, and would continue to hold until late in the day.

Competitors eagerly await the start

Teams had from 10am to 5pm to collect as many of the 30 controls as possible spread throughout Mt. Crawford Forest. Different controls were given different point values, so route choice was very important.

All teams returned safely by 5pm, and told many stories of losing punchcards, losing compasses, wading through knee-deep creeks and generally having a good time in the very damp and muddy forest. Some were a little sore, but everyone I spoke to seemed to have enjoyed their adventures in the forest and were keen to return next year.

Anstey - winners are grinners

After a hearty barbeque meal and a bit of a warm up by the fire, prizes were awarded and the competitors were soon off home to their nice warm beds (apparently it was snowing on Mt. Crawford!).

For the record, the overall winners were Mike Woodward and Jeffery Newman.

The winners in the Rover seciotn were Anstey Rover Crew, closely followed by Pine Forest Rover crew. The Handbag Award was given to the Bloo Rover Crew for their performance in starting late but still getting out there and having a great time.

The two Venturer teams also did exceptionally well.

I would like to thank all the participants in the event, for making it such a success. I also have to thank all the members of GRovers who supported Sam and myself in the running of the event, without them the job would have been near impossible.

Lastly I would also like to thank Peter Hann (a wonderful control), the Forest Rangers, and the Scout Outdoor Centre for their support.

"We lost, but we're not empty handed"